The '09-'10 Kansas Jayhawks: The Push for a National Championship Starts Now

First, Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich both elected to return next season. Second, the Jayhawks will be five new players coming in next season in Xavier Henry, C.J. Henry, Thomas Robinson, Elijah Johnson, and Jeff Withey. Third, our "Babyhawks" are growing up! We no longer will find ourselves as one of the top 10 youngest teams. This next season, we will become the top 10 most talented teams, if not No. 1.

Think about this: next season we will be favored to win the National Championship game.

There will also be a lot of competition. With three guards coming in, along with two big men, there will be a lot of positions up in the air.

Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich, and Xavier Henry are all locks to be starters. But those other two spots are definitely up for grabs.

At the guard spot along with Henry and Collins, it will be between Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson, C.J. Henry, Tyrell Reed, and Brady Morningstar. The front-runner at this point is Taylor. He is the most polished point guard and I doubt with his excellent performance last year, he will find himself riding the bench to start many games.

Now, the other spot up for grabs is the other forward position. It will be down to Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, Thomas Robinson, and in January, transfer seven-footer Jeff Withey will be available.

This one could be more interesting. The Morris twins have had a year of experience already under coach Bill Self, but Robinson probably has the most talent. I doubt Withey will be a starter this year, but he should be a very good role player to come in when Aldrich needs a breather.

At this point, I think it is Marcus Morris, but if Robinson comes to KU and shines, I expect him to possibly start.

Nonetheless, the Jayhawks will have all kinds of depth next season. There is a likely chance that going into the NCAA tournament, there are 12 guys worthy of playing time.

You would think that Coach Self would redshirt some guys, but who? Every single one of these players could be very good next season for the Jayhawks. This is a great problem to have and I am very excited for another year of KU basketball.